Traditional English towns, Historical cities and churches, the homes of countless English nobility, England’s best accent (and Yorkshire Puddings!).

When planning a Holiday in England the temptation is to spend the majority of your time sightseeing in London and then spend a couple of days in Edinburgh before heading back ‘over the pond.’ I’m here to suggest an alternative option. A country cottage in Yorkshire. Trade historic London for York, the original capital city. St Paul’s cathedral? Try Durham cathedral. Replace the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square with a day at a Victorian seaside holiday spot and swap the busy modernity of London for some famously friendly Yorkshire hospitality. By taking a self catering English country cottage you have the freedom to decide what you do each day, be active or relax. Head to Yorkshire's charming cities or explore the local market towns and quaint villages. Read on for information on getting to Yorkshire, getting around in Yorkshire and a sample seven day itinerary for exploring the North of England with Yorkshire as your base.

Car Hire

To get the most out of your English cottage holiday we advise hiring a car. Manual cars are the standard but it is now rare to find a car hire operator that doesn't give you the option of an automatic. London’s traffic has a worldwide reputation and your native British driver will often avoid driving in central London but most other towns and cities are fine. We advise that you save the time and stress of city driving and parking by making use of tourist buses and park and ride schemes when visiting York and Durham.

A Sample Seven day Itinerary for a Yorkshire Holiday

Day One: The Ancient City of York

York is probably the most historic city in England and really has a bit of everything which makes it a popular destination for both foreign visitors and UK residents alike. This is a great little video with a suggested itinerary for a day in York which takes in the gothic cathedral, the historic city walls, the shambles (which is a part of town that consists of an utterly charming narrow maze of medieval shopping streets and The National Railway museum which is the largest collection of rail and steam pieces in the world. I would also suggest Betty’s Tea room for some quintessentially English high tea and the Jorvik Centre for a look into the Viking history of York.

Day Two: Gastro Yorkshire

Loosen your belt, I am about to let you in on a secret. We know that you give us Brits some stick about our food, but be prepared to have your mind changed. Did you know that the UK has the sixth most Michelin star restaurants in the world and Yorkshire boasts more Michelin stars than any other county. Yorkshire is foodie heaven! As well as great pubs and restaurants throughout Yorkshire you will find farmers markets selling their produce; both traditional and with a modern twist. Learn to cook like a pro at one of the regions many cookery schools or savour the labour of others, go see how international favourites such as Wensleydale Cheese is made or why not drop by The Black Sheep Brewery and watch them produce some world beating beer.

Day Three: Visit Durham

Durham is a small city but charming to the core. Medieval bridges, castles a world famous norman cathedral cobbled streets and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Guests at the cottages have taken the motorcycle trike tour at the start of this video and we haven’t had a bad review yet. Just outside of Durham you will find Beamish Museum which takes its visitors back to earlier days. Beamish was Voted by visitors Britain’s best tourist destination in 2012.

Day Four: A Green and pleasant land

In all of our holiday cottages you will find some guides to local walks so strap on those walking boots and head out into the great Yorkshire countryside. The wildlife and landscape offers something different each month so you will never be disappointed. One of our favourite walks starts (and more importantly ends) at the world famous black sheep brewery, which means a refreshing glass of Yorkshire ale awaits you as a reward for your ramble. For those who prefer the view from the saddle we have bicycles that can be borrowed and there are plenty of local companies offering to take you onto the Yorkshire Moors National Plark or the Yorkshire Dales on horseback.

Day Six: Castles, Churches and Country Houses.

England is rich in history and has many wonderfully preserved castles, churches and country houses. Where ever you are in England you are never far away from remarkable architecture and buildings that evoke the spirit of bygone era. Nowhere is this more true than in Yorkshire. We suggest trying one of the following during your stay at the cottages.

Bolton castle is one of the country’s best preserved medieval castles; originally built as one of the finest and most luxurious homes in the land, the castle bears the scars of over 600 years of fascinating history. The castle is still in the private ownership of Lord Bolton, the direct descendant of the castle’s original owner. With daily events through the summer including archery, falconry and dress up sessions for children the castle is a great day out for both families and history buffs.

If you enjoyed Downton Abbey why not visit Castle Howard and sample some of the opulence that the upper classes enjoyed. Lonely planet described the house as being one of the worlds top ten mansions. Experience the grandeur of this beautiful country house and discover world renowned collections including frescos, furniture, statuary and paintings. Friendly guides will share enchanting stories as you journey through the dramatic interiors of Castle Howard and learn about the generations of families who have called the House home.

Five minutes online will give you countless historical options to explore within easy travelling distance of your country cottage.

Day Seven: Whitby and Scarborough

Originally founded by the Vikings the coming of the railways let to the rapid growth of the British seaside holiday resorts of Whitby and Scarborough. A trip out to the beautiful Yorkshire coast is not to be missed. Still a popular tourist spot to this day the towns offer fantastic family attractions whatever your interests are.

If you have any questions about making Yorkshire your base for your holiday in England then please call +44 1677 422740 or write to us using our enquiry form.You can explore some of the Yorkshire attractions close to our cottages by visiting our attractions page. To explore our English Country Cottages click here where you can also check prices and availability.